Foodservice wholesaler Bidfood is preparing for the advent of battery-powered truck technology with the help of its first zero-emission FUSO eCanter.

The high-profile company is keen to pave the way for future changes to its delivery operation by gaining early experience of electric vehicle operation.

The world’s first fully electric light-duty truck to enter series production, the 7.5-tonne eCanter represents a major advance in the battle to improve air quality in towns and cities.

Eutectic Refrigeration

Examples are in service in a variety of applications across the UK but Bidfood’s is the first to be fitted with a temperature-controlled body. This was built by Gray & Adams and is cooled by a Frigoblock eutectic refrigeration system which chills the insulated twin-compartment box as the eCanter’s main drive batteries are being recharged, rather than draining them of energy while the vehicle is on the road.

Covid Delays

Bidfood took delivery of the eCanter in 2020 but plans to put it to work were curtailed by the onset of Covid-19, subsequent lockdowns, and then ‘fall out’ from the pandemic. It has now been assigned to the company’s depot in Battersea, from where it delivers to customers throughout central London, typically covering 60-70 km each day.

Depot Manager Jon Stansfield said: “Like all transport operators working in London we face the reality of emissions-based restrictions. These are only going to get stricter, with similar regimes becoming more widespread throughout the country.

“Battery technology is still in its infancy and obviously an electric vehicle cannot compete with a diesel-engined truck in terms of range, especially when fitted with a heavy fridge body.

“The eCanter offers other attributes, though. Of course, from a business perspective it’s important that we ‘future-proof’ our operation against further regulations. There is also a moral dimension to this issue – the fact that electric vehicles like the eCanter are so much cleaner and quieter means they can only benefit the wider community, and not just our company and customers.”   

He continued: “We were keen to trial an electric truck and get a true picture of how it would fit our requirements. The eCanter was an obvious choice – it’s already well proven in operation and is backed by a major manufacturer in Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

“Given its environmental credentials, the eCanter has the potential to make an important contribution to Bidfood’s overall sustainability strategy.”

The eCanter’s electric drivetrain employs six 13.8 kWh lithium-ion batteries with a total power output of 82.8 kWh (66 kWh usable). The permanent-magnet motor delivers 129 kW (180 hp) via a single-gear transmission in the rear axle. A single charge gives the truck an effective operating range of more than 62 miles (100 km), which is ample for many urban delivery applications.

Fuso eCanter fridge Truck
Bidfood’s is the first eCanter to be fitted with a temperature-controlled body